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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

The Distinguished Flying Cross was instituted on July 2nd 1926. The very first one was awarded to Captain Charles A. Lindbergh for his flight in the Spirit of St. Louis, the first Transatlantic solo flight in 1927. The first US Navy pilot to be awarded the DFC was Commander E. Byrd for his flight to the North Pole and back in 1926. Amelia Earhart was the first female pilot to receive the DFC and the first and only civilian pilot to be awarded. By special Act of Congress, the Wright Brothers retroactively received a Distinguished Flying Cross.

The decoration could be awarded for actions after April 6th, 1917.
It could be awarded “to any person, while serving in any capacity with the Air Corps of the Army of the United States, including the National Guard and the Organized Reserves, or with the United States Navy, since April 6th, 1917, has distinguished, or who, after approval of this Act, distinguished himself by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. The performance of the act of heroïsme must be evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. The extraordinary achievement must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from his comrades or from other persons in similar circumstances. Awards will be made only to recognize single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement and will not be made in recognition of sustained operational activities against an armed enemy”. During war time the decoration could also be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of friendly foreign forces that served with the United States.

The original design was from Mr. Arthur E. Dubois and Miss Elizabeth Will.
It is composed by a Bronze Cross Patee with on it a four-bladed propeller, with between each two blades of the propeller, five rays between the arms of the cross.
The ribbon is blue with on both sides a white stripe. In the centre one can find a red stripe with two smaller white stripes on each side.

Only one medal was received. When further Distinguished Flying Crosses were awarded, the recipient received either a Bronze Oak-Leave clusters for Army and Air Force and Gold Stars for Navy personnel. For every fifth bronze Oak-Leave cluster or Gold Star, a Silver Oak-Leave cluster or Silver Star was received. Oak-Leave clusters and Stars were to be worn on the ribbon of the first medal. US Navy or US Marines Corps pilots also could receive a “V”-pin for on the ribbon which denotes valour in combat action.

Abbott, Earl Leroy "Abby"* January 8th, 1919
† January 24th, 1945

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Grid List
Abbott, Earl Leroy "Abby"* January 8th, 1919
† January 24th, 1945

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Abdallah, John Edward "Ed"* December 21st, 1917
† October 28th, 1994

Abernathy, Alva Norman* June 7th, 1921
† December 25th, 2008

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Abernathy, Olen H. (USAF)* November 13th, 1920
† February 4th, 1996
Plot: 33 Row: 13 

Abjanich, Jacob Michel "Jack"* September 22nd, 1923
† July 8th, 1997

Ackerman, Harry (USAF)* August 17th, 1919
† April 13th, 2015

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Addy, Floyd E.* June 20th, 1919
† June 14th, 1944
Plot: N Row: 18 Grave: 11

Akin, John Herbert (Sr.)* 1917
† February 25th, 1945
Plot: D Row: 7 Grave: 19

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Aleman-Ramos, Hector E.* April 29th, 1936
† October 16th, 2021

Alison, John Richardson (Johnny)* November 21st, 1912
† June 6th, 2011
Plot: 30 Grave: 332-2

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Allan, James D.* 1924
† April 11th, 2012

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Allegret, Émile Joseph Auguste* April 24th, 1907
† November 22nd, 1990

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Altman, Dory, Ivan, "Danny" Jr. (USAAF)* October 24th, 1921
† November 26th, 1998

Altman, Fredric Gans* February 10th, 1917
† September 8th, 2002

Altman, Richard Gustaf* August 28th, 1923
† January 4th, 2009
Plot: 60 Grave: 8911

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Ambrogi, Joseph Narciso, Jr.* March 8th, 1920
† November 11th, 1998

Amussen, John Russell* March 23rd, 1921
† May 19th, 1945

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Anderson, Clarence Emil "Bud"* January 13th, 1922
† May 17th, 2024

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Andersz, Tadeusz* October 27th, 1918
† October 29th, 2007

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Andrews, Arthur Ellis* July 4th, 1917
† July 14th, 1984

Andrus, Burton Curtis* April 15th, 1892
† February 1st, 1977

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Andrus, Willis James* January 4th, 1921
† October 16th, 1967

Apperson, Edwin C.* July 13th, 1925
† August 18th, 1995

Arbuckle, William Nathan* July 28th, 1917
† August 21st, 1944
Plot: A Row: 19 Grave: 44

Arnold, Henry Harley "Hap"* June 25th, 1886
† January 15th, 1950
Plot: 34 Grave: 44-A

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Arnoult, Carl A.* 1918
† June 1st, 1945

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Auer, John Richard, Sr.* August 31st, 1922
† September 4th, 2012

Sources